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Saturday the 19th of November
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The Official Newspaper of the 50th International Session
Dear Board, Honorable guests, Fellow delegates, you are recognized! I N S I D E TH I S I S S U E :
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EYP
50th
So the short, yet memorable and fun three days of the committee work are behind and here we are in the hospitable Guardia di Finanza at the General Assembly of the 50th International EYP Session, all looking forward to presenting, defending, maybe attacking and definitely passionately debating our resolutions, sharing our dreams and expectations. The pre-GA speeches delivered by the officials all had something in common they were about us, the young who are shaping the future Europe, putting our inspiration and sharing it with others, breaking the ice and making Europe a one community, friendly and open for diversity, dialogue and cultural exchange, as mentioned by the President of the Province of Puglia,
The European flag turns 50 This flag is the symbol of the European Union, and now flies above parliaments, municipal buildings, parks and monuments over the continent. The flag has got twelve golden stars making a circle, representing "perfection and entirety" like the twelve months of the year, the twelve apostles, or the signs of the zodiac. This number will remain unchanged for the birthday. 50th
The EU, to celebrate the anniversary of the flag will set a 46x25m flag in front of the Palace of Europe. Due to its dimensions, the flag will break a world flag record and enter the Guinness Book or Records. The specific measures represent the 46 members in the Council of Europe, and 25 members of the European Union. Several high officials of the Council of Europe, the President of the European Parliament, Josep Borrell, and the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, will speak at the ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the European Flag. Ever since being adopted by the Council of Europe and its then 14 member states in 1955, the European flag has been an expression of the will of a growing number of states and peoples to work together, particularly in a continent where the common values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law prevail and where full advantage is taken of diversity. The then 14-strong council now has 46 European member countries and still uses the flag along with the EU, which adopted the official symbol in 1986. The EU flag might have looked entirely different from the design we see today, the 12 star design having to beat off several other ideas such as quasi-Olympic circles, a variation of the US' stars and stripes and a design
Mr. Niki Vendola.
André SchmitzSchwarzkopf, the VicePresident of the HeinzSchwarzkopf Foundation, briefly introduced the history of EYP guidance by the Foundation, giving an example that certain crisis can also mean a new beginning and success. He stressed upon such essential priorities of the Foundation’s work as transparency, expansion and openness, also mentioning that democracy spreads out of the EU, bringing the example of Ukraine. (This was so encouraging and inspiring personally for me! Thank you! - Natalya). Ms. President, Lorna Burke, introduced the procedure of the General Assembly and wished good luck to everyone. So, dear delegates, we wish you success! Make this GA
bright, intelligent and fun! (P.S. BUT OF COURSE! Your journos will keep their fingers crossed for you and your dreams!)
“EYP is our success story—from Estonia to Portugal and from Norway to Malta.” A. SchmitzSchwarzkopf
using national flags with a tiger motif. The original design comes from Salvador de Madariaga, the founder of the Bruges- based college of Europe. In 1950, Arsene Heitz proposed a modification of the original design, increasing the number of stars to 15. But the discussions and arguments between Germany and France halted the proposal and in 1955 the Council of Europe in Strasbourg approved the Madariaga design. However, the 50th anniversary does not arrive without scandal; the Czech president last Thursday resisted fresh pressure at home to put up the EU flag at his official residence. The incident happened on the eve of Friday's visit to Prague by a European Commission goodwill delegation led by president Jose Manuel Barroso. Two artists were barred by the president's guard from flying the gold-and-blue at the Prague castle - Mr Klaus' seat - on Thursday (17 November) claimed a Czech media report. The artists said most other EU heads of state do so in recognition of their countries' membership of the European Union. Ex-president Vaclav Havel joined supporters of the move, commenting that it was "scandalous" the flag was missing from the official building. But Mr Klaus, known as a staunch Eurosceptic, said he had not received a "mandate, order or request" concerning the flag when he took up his presidential post and does not intend to entertain one now.
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AFET II in GA: We’re the first, we’re the best! Luckily, or perhaps unluckily for some of the delegates, the committee on Foreign Affairs was the first to present its resolution in the first day of the General Assembly. Anxiety, stress and excitement are the words to describe their emotions J. Fredrick(Chair,SW) gave the last instructions and after the Opening Ceremony speeches, the floor was open for the AFET II Committee to present its resolution! Patricia(AT) read the operative clauses out loud and clear, followed by Michel(BE) who made a convincing defence speech, using both French and English. He explained that this resolution can provide a coherent answer to the problem raised concerning a Common Foreign Policy followed by all member states of the Union. Two committees attempted to attack the resolution and then Emilie(CH) explained sufficiently -also in English and in French – the points of information. During open debate numerous points and questions were brought up, some of them supportive to the resolution, some other attacking it, but Eero(FI), Edoardo(IT), John(NO) and Diana(PT) clarified every single point. James(UK) and Karen(IE) had to sum up the discussion and urged the General Assembly to vote in favour of the motion for resolution. However, the best part of the presence of the committee in the GA procedure was definitely the Happy Birthday song they all stood up and sang for Michel (BE).So, I feel I have to express my warmest wishes for your birthday, Michel, even through this article! By the time you will be reading this article the GA would be finished, so would the session be. As my last word to you, I have to admit that your committee consisted of many very different persons and personalities, but the combination of all of you made it possible to achieve things that you couldn’t even imagine. Just take a moment and think how was your team in the first day you arrived in Matera and compare it to what you have now: familiar faces, friends. Keep that in your mind and hearts because this is what EYP offers you: lifetime experiences.
What Was It After All? “CONOSCERE BARI” è promossa da MERCANTI DEL BORGO ANTICO - ASSEDIL CONFEDILIZIA
Does this remind you of something? Well, it should! This is the emblem of the medieval monastery that kindly hosted our committee work. But what actually is the story behind this old building? The complex of buildings which the monastery belongs to has walked quite a long path of building and rebuilding in various eras of the Italian history. In the very same site, archaeological excavations
“Twelvvvvvvvvve for!” - Success for the AFCO1
GA , the culmination of a lot of hard graft, is always important for a committee. This importance lies not in the passing of the resolution, but in the quality of debate, as our session president said yesterday. Yet when these two combine you can expect a very happy and fulfilled committee, as AFCO1 were yesterday. Marsha (BEL) began the proceedings by reading the operative clauses, making sure the other schleepy committee’s had read them properly before an attack. Ben (UK) stepped up next, beginning with a reminder of our surroundings, and the presence of Christianity in Michelangelo’s works and the many religious symbols about the Italian streets. However, the EMO-glasses wearing midlands-man reminded us, Christianity has also been the cause of much conflict. The committee’s hard work on the resolution paid off after this, as they had only one other committee wanting to attack them. The speech itself was sparse, to be nice about it (“This resolution is… eh...pretty good, yeah…but not fully, eh, finished *laughter*”). This unsubstantial attack left room for a second attack speech which challenged the resolutions vagueness with a native speaker’s eloquence, but not substance. With no points of information the floor debate was prompted, drawing points of debate from many. Several points asked for explanations, which Argyro (CYP) explained concisely when the debate returned to AFCO1. Other points followed similarly asking for “cultural heritage” to be elaborated on and suggesting that the majority of Europe was Greco-Roman, so perhaps Christianity should be in the constitutional treaty. Andrea (ITA) brought these points back down to the ground with a very expressive and Italian speech from the floor. To sum-up the committee employed Nil (TUR) and Ylva (SWE). Both took it in turns to explain the essence of the debate and of the resolution, asking for the floor’s support. This nice cultural combo asked for an awareness of roots but a mindfulness of social integration. Such admirable aspirations recieved the support of 106 people, passing the resolution with confidence. Well done guys, (even though you did tie me up with tape), you deserve it!
have brought to light artefacts that date back up to the Bronze Age. The monastery specifically was most probably founded in the 11th century and was restructured in 1120 and further enlarged in 1308. Under the reigns of Isabella of Aragon and Bona Sforza and within the plan of fortifying the city walls, the complex including the old church was partly absorbed into a defensive bastion. The parts that were lost were compensated, mainly by the building of other constructions. One of these new buildings was the church which our committee rooms were in and was built in 1579, after the new walls were finished. That is why the church is at the level of the city walls and not behind and below them as the rest of the monastery complex.
After these radical changes in the architecture of the area, the church and generally the whole monastery remained unaffected from human influence until recent years. The complex as we saw it nowadays during our three days long committee-work is the result of further alteration which was carried out mainly in the nineteenth century. The latest restoration work was started in 1971. I suppose that after this short description we should all feel really pleased and obliged to our beloved Italian organisers and the local Italian community of Bari that honoured us and let us use such a magnificent historical monument! Indeed, thank you from the bottoms of our hearts!! Orestis “The Dirty Bang”
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An interview with Helga de Pauw, Governing Board member and President of EYP Belgium
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states, but today we are proud to have up to 32 countries participating. What’s very important to me in EYP is to believe in future and vision, to keep the national differences, to have a good organisation without copying from other sessions. Every session is different in every way. EYP continues evolving in quality, which makes every session the best session. The future of EYP will request time and money, and I sincerely hope the outcome will be positive. For me, EYP is one big family, there are no generations and no differences and thus it doesn’t really matter if you’re a teacher or an alumni, as long as you believe in EYP, you’re part of the family.”
Delegates from the 1990 session in fontainebleau
We have interviewed Mrs. De Pauw and asked her to give us general explanation about how EYP originally started and how it has evolved during the years, what her motives and aims are, when her first session was and what keeps on motivating her to keep EYP going and growing.
Mrs. De Pauw had some more confessions to make but she said she would keep it a secret to reveal during her speech before the Farewell Gala. Signorina in Black and Carole “Amaretto”
“ My first session was in Fontainebleau in 1990 and there were 14 delegates from Belgium. It was the first session after the fall of the Berlin wall and it was the first time delegates attended EYP from Hungary, Czechoslovakia and former Eastern Germany. They had come as observers and asked all of us in the General Assembly if they had the right to vote and all of us said “yes”. 3 of the delegates in Fontainebleau are or were here in Bari: there’s myself, teambuilder Tim Jones and Amanda, the president of EYP Portugal. EYP originally started as an organisational European project. It is my opinion that if we want to conserve something, especially in the case of EYP, it has to keep changing. So many other European youth projects that have existed but failed to survive. EYP has survived many national, international, structural and financial problems. It can be considered a miracle that EYP today still exists. It’s also very difficult to define what “European project” really means for EYP because of the many changes it had to go through. EYP started as a project for, by and with young people, alumni and teachers of the EU member
Excerpt from a speech made by the Ambassador of the Czechoslovakian delegation in fontainebleau in 1990. (From Mrs. De Pauw’s personal archive)
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It was an honor for all of us to be able to participate in the 50th session and this is a session most of us will hopefully remember for a long time and it will definitely make some of us want to come back. One of the things we will remember from this great 50th session is the Euroconcert. The Euroconcert was held in Cinema Teatro Castellano. It was not the original place for this Euroconcert but unfortunately and, as unbelievable as it sounds, the roof collapsed at the Teatro Garibaldi, the original venue. Even as a last minute arrangement the Cinema Theatre hosted us well and it did not affect the performances or audience. Rehearsals went on all day long and it was all worth it for those performing, they clapped a lot and there were smiles on every face despite the hunger and exhaustion.
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Because it is the 50th session a lot of things are done differently then in other sessions and this time there were not only two hosts but many. Orgas, teachers, journos, chairs and visiting members of the board presented the acts for us in their own way. We had “a real EYP family” from Estonia, Mita and Lukas with secrets, French speaking teachers and many other
characters helping us making this a memorable night. This Euroconcert was much more instrumental then vocal. First we had a local orchestra playing on mandolin and guitars then we had a duet from Russia playing eastern music on flutes, a trio from Greece with a Cypriot playing
AFCO 2 - Team Non-Confrontation!
trumpets and saxophones, and the EYP ‘God of guitar playing’, Seba. Even though there was not a lot of singers this time, the ones that did sing did it outstandingly. The Dutch delegation, Ellen and Heili from Estonia, Klara from the Czech Republic, Sara and Simona from Italy and then last but certainly not the least our EYPall-time-singer Daniele Vanucchi. Danny gave the room goosebumps with his breath taking “You Raise Me Up” with some help from Heili, Jonny and Simona.. Iryna from the Ukraine danced to a Shakira song with grace and Karen did traditional Irish Reel for us. We must not forget the amazing act the wonderful journo team of this 50th session did - the Cabaret dance. The Chairs tried to pull something off and actually they managed and gave Lorna a great surprise with their lyrics, *sob sob*. This Euroconcert of the 50th session had the most perfect ending with the song Imagine, which now has a really special place in our hearts.
It was probably... you know what, I don´t even know what time it was but I can assure you that it was very very late indeed last night when the good people of AFCO2 met up in room 202 in the hotel after the party on Friday night. And so there we are, now already a few hours into Saturday morning, and the group is talking about how to get across the importance the resolution that they would make in about twelve hours time... now that´s dedication! Firstly it was decided who would carry out which role during General Assembly the next day. Sigi, it had been previously decided, would deliver the defence speech, with the group as a whole contributing towards it. However the group then needed to decide who would be doing the summation speeches and who would read the operative clauses. I must say that I wasn´t looking forward hugely to the discussion, as it was so so late and we were all so so very tired. As such I was expecting a big arguement over each decision... but as soon as the discussion started I remembered – of course, this is AFCO2, the most polite, diplomatic and unconfrontational committee I´ve seen! The discussion went back and forth, with the candidates for the sum-up, Ciaran, Coraline and Siegrid, and those for the operatives, Raluqa and Sara, each telling everyone why the other candidates would be so good at it, and why the other person should ge to do it, and then when the discussion was opened up to the whole committee everyone else joined in in saying that each and every candidate would do an amazing job!! Thinking back on how this committee has worked with each other in putting together such a strong resolution on SUCH a difficult topic, the discussion that night summed up the committee perfectly. This topic is one that has divided professional politicians, driven wedges between countries and has to this date no solution has been found beyond putting it off for another day. In dealing with this topic however, I saw not a fierce arguement, not a shouting match, but a polite and considerate exchange of ideas. Having seen how they have come to work together in such harmony I have no doubt that they will show us a very impressive end to GA, and I hope that all the other delegates will as taken by their charm as I have been! Finn “Fingers”
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Remember what I told you? That this committee was gonna rock and do a fabulous job? WELL THEY DID!!! YES!!! I was as nervous as the delegates, I seriously was! Viola from Italy did a wonderful job presenting the motion for resolution. There were no attack speeches at first, as it was really hard to find any significant drawbacks, but oh well, some brave ones did attack and it looked afterwards they were satisfied with the feedback. Indra from Latvia did a wonderful job on the Defence speech, confident, passionate, inspired, she represented the spirit of the whole committee, because they are a TEAM, they truly are! The open debate was really great, active, so many questions addressed, many good and worthy ideas defended. It was obvious that the hard work done during the previous three days was effective and brought fruitful results. There was such an impressive co-operation between the delegates in the process of answering the questions; they kept writing them down, and answering, the answers coming to the person in charge in time, and providing proper explanations. The sum-up speech was masterfully done by Charlie from UK, and Jean from Ireland was really inspiring, I am sure it made great impact on other delegates’ decision as so many committees have given all their votes in favour. Honestly, I can hardly remember anything like that happening in GA! So, with 144 votes in favour, only 23 against and 12 abstentions the Resolution has passed! CONGRATULATIONS! Thank you, EMPLOYMENT!
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Anxious but smiling – that’s how they are when I meet them in the General Assembly. You might be surprised about it, but that’s how they are – despite feeling ill and lacking sleep. Of course they are nervous, but they are themselves, they are optimistic. After Erlinda reads out the operative clauses and Ileana delivers a splendid defence speech (although she is about to lose her voice), the floor is given to the committees for attack speeches. ECOM comes up with the atypical objection – we don’t have money to do everything that is proposed! As if money would be the only thing that matters… Later on, during the open floor debate, another delegate from ECOM states that he is the one who knows what the resolution is all about – DEVE gets more nervous. Although two out of three first speakers say that they like the resolution, all of us are anxious about whether it will pass. There is one delegate who is rather radical and declares that one should take giant leaps towards development of trade, and not baby steps ( I am still thinking the member of which radical organisation is he?). At one point I almost break my nose, trying to take a picture of Emma answering the questions. The committee on Employment complains about employing people ( surprise, surprise!). However, all of the girls (Anna, Emma and Marlene) answer very well, and the time comes for the sum up speech. Both Anna and Tim look a bit frightened, Anna’s hands are trembling, but Tim tries hard to calm her down. General Assembly most definitely is one of the moments when you can see how well can the committee cooperate, how they get along and whether they have become a real team. And this committee proved that they were worth it – their resolution passed with the majority of votes in favour! Eyes shining, smiling happily, unable to calm down, excited and satisfied – all this is after the voting. DEVE has scored, and now it’s time for enjoying the rest of the session. Thirteen girls and a boy or 3,5 blondes and 10 brunettes, or 14 joyful people, a clumsy chair and an even clumsier journo – that is what DEVE was here. They were witty, they had fun, they made this session great! The GA only proved that no matter what the difficulties are, you are able to fight them together. Sure, it wasn’t always perfect, but maybe the imperfect sometimes is perfect after all? J As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said:” We do not live an equal life, but one of contrasts and patchwork; now a little joy, then a sorrow, now a sin, then a generous or brave action”. So thank you for this wonderful week, and arriba!
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Interview with Andre Schmitz-Schwarzkopf, Vice-President of the HeinzSchwarzkopf Stiftung You might say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the Only one (John Lennon)
What do you think of the future of the EYP? What challenges are we facing? It has now been a year since the Heinz-Schwarzkopf Foundation took over the management task of the EYP, and I have to say that it has been very successful. During this year we have launched a new website (www.eypej.org) that still is under construction and will be a forum for anyone interested in the EYP; we have a new charter that we are working after, aiming to be as transparent and accessible as possible to everyone. We are also facing a good year financially – we have funding for the whole 2006 ready. What will also come soon is a new logo for the International EYP which will hopefully be introduced by the next international session in Interview with Mrs. Pissula, Representative of the Dreger Foundation, a Sponsor of the European Youth Parliament What is the foundation ?
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The Drëger foundation is an operative foundation that organises its own programs. It is committed to the fields of science and research of economic and social policy. However, the foundation is far too small to do its own research, so it brings together people from various activities in meetings such as conferences, round tables, … to discuss the precious issues of our time. For instance, the activities of 2004 was focused on the youth employment on an international scale whereas 2005 will mainly debate of energy, climate changes and future welfare. Also, the foundation organises transatlantic programs concerning exchanges between young
Paris, 2006. EYP is also about dreaming, what dreams do you have for the organisation? I have two strong dreams about the EYP. Firstly I would like to see that we have strong national committees in all participating countries. Now we have some countries where the whole project depends on 2-3 people. I dream of fair and competitive national selections. My other dream is to build up a strong Alumni organisation. Here the website could play an important role, linking together former participants, enabling them to keep in touch and build a fantastic network of fantastic people.
what would you wish to the delegates that are here? Three things – take away many new friendships and leave with more knowledge of the EU. And most important – we mainly think of Europe in political terms, but what I love about the EYP is the emotional idea of Europe, which I wish to everyone of you to experience in its true sense!
“The European Youth Parliament is in good shape and ready and able to continue its splendid work We are approaching the end of into the the 50th International session, future.”
professionnals from Europe and from America. These are actually real study groups on the future of Europe. Where is the foundation based ? The foundation holds its activities mainly in Lübeck, Germany, where the Druger company is based. Druger is a leading worldwide company in medical equipment and safety technologies. Which age categories dealing with ?
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Well, part of our program is aiming at young people but the conferences we organise are opened for all ages and bing together people from lots of different activities. When did you first hear about the EYP ? My first participation into the EYP was as a Juri member during the 2003 National Session in Dresden. I had a lot of fun there. Who contacted you to tell you about that national session ?
I received a letter from Christina Elvers, one of the former president of the EYP Germany and immediately answered yes because the EYP aims are exactly the ones that the Drëger foundation wishes to share. As a private support, what do you expect from the EYP ? The EYP is a great way of creating a live debate about Europe and more concretely of building networks and links between young people who would never had met otherwise. My wish is that it keeps on this way because this is what we are waiting for. Coming to the end of the session, what are your impressions ? Above all, I must say that the resolutions are very well done which will without any doubt give a great resulting debate over the weekend. I am also very much impressed by the organisation, who managed so well to face all the last minutes problems which occured.
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- only slept an hour and a half in one night? - sat in the lobby of a hotel writing 400 word articles? - walked fifteen minutes just to print 3 pages? - got lost in an Italian city? - ran up five flights of stairs(in 25 seconds) just so you could reach a deadline? - ran up five flights of stairs(in 25 seconds) just to find out that the deadline had been postponed? - tried to work in a room with cardboard boxes for walls? - been threatened by an international organiser(hint: Latvian, female, blonde, aggressive)? - been chased by any organiser thats calling you a ****ing journo? - panicked because you couldn’t find your badge? - chased an organiser because she had ten badges hanging around her neck? - decided you made a big mistake by chasing an organiser(that had ten badges hanging around her neck)? - had ten pocket coffee wrappers shoved into your t-shirt by an angry organiser? - witnessed people make interesting(but all the same weird) noises with their mouths only to get a few pieces of paper? - been forced to see a guy smother pasta sauce all over his face again only to get a few pieces of paper? - spent endless hours on your laptop trying to write articles with backgroud songs such as: Better on Holiday, Pressure, Hope, We got the Whip... ? If you have then you must be a journo! If not now you know what it is to be a journo! Capiche? Don’t worry, it isn’t as scary as it sounds..
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Once upon a time there was a vast troll living in the Far East. He had two children, one son and one daughter. The son was as strong and huge as his father, and his name was Europa. When Europa grew older, he decided to move from his father’s lands, and travelled Westwards where he settled down in the Middle Earth. He soon became king of all beings in this region. He had 42 children, better known as the Europeans. Europa lived well and prospered in Middle Earth, until the humans came. The humans were led from the south by a knight who called himself Sir Plague, and his people spread disease and horror wherever they went. The humans wanted to invade Europa’s land, and were fit for fight. But this did not scare the Europeans, and the battle started. For four days and four nights the Europeans and the humans fought. After the fourth night Europa was killed, and the humans were exhausted, as they didn’t have the same capabilities as the European trolls had. The physical advantage of the Europeans proved to be decisive and with a victory in the final fight, and they once again had Middle Earth for their own. But their king and father, Europa, was dead, and the domain needed a new way to be governed. His 42 children decided to split their father’s country up in one piece each, so that they still could rule the Middle Earth in a fair way. Europa’s daughters Italia, France, Hispania and Portugal wanted the southern parts, so that they could stay tanned and beautiful forever. Their brothers however, absolutely adored snowboarding and snowman making, so Sweden, Finland and Norway decided to stay up north. Russia on the other hand, was rather spoiled, and managed to trick the hugest part of the region for himself, as well as some of his aunt’s lands. As a punishment for killing their father, the Europeans took the humans hostage, and forced them to live in their countries and follow their rules. This formed Europe into 42 countries, habited by humans, ruled by trolls. Over time, each country developed their own way of living, their own languages, and learned to take advantage of the land’s various resources in the most efficient ways. The result is today’s cultural diversity we have across our continent, and if it hadn’t been for the trolls’ way of organising us, the humans would have been all plague and no fun. By Krister the Fist
Study on Comfort Foods: Men like meat, Women Sugar
What triggers people to turn to “comfort foods” - and which foods they pick - often depends on the sex of the eater, according to a new study by Cornell University researchers. It is proved that women are slightly more likely to eat comfort foods high in fat and sugar, like cakes and ice-cream, whereas men tend to choose steaks, soups and pasta. Foods high in sugar and fat content are more efficient in alleviating negative feelings, according to the study. This evidence may justify the fact that 50 percent of the women investigated admitted to feel guilty about indulging in comfort foods. On the other hand, 35 percent of male respondents picked highcalorie sweet foods as a reward when they were feeling moody. However, steaks, pasta and pizza that men mostly choose are not necessarily optimal choices but in general better than the sugary “fat-traps” women lean on, explains one of the researchers. Among the other findings, the study concluded that older people were also more likely to report higher positive emotions after eating their favourite comfort foods than women and younger adults. Signorina in Black Source: Associated Press
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Research Forever! By Karlis, The Latvian-Blooded Swede
Finally the big day arrived. We all came into this gigantic GA venue, with policemen running all around the place. In this serious and secure atmosphere the GA could begin. Our strong committee had their time after lunch, just before coffee break. They all seemed very cool and calm. Stelios read out the operative clauses, confident as always. Then Chris gave a strong and inspiring defence speech, earning a big round of applauses. The General Assembly seemed to like the motion for resolution – one third (!) of the speakers during the open debate congratulated the committee for a very good resolution. Active responder to the questions and points was Tomas, who also did the sum-up speech, accompanied by Rosie who ended up the whole debate professionally. As for voting, one couldn’t decide whether the large amount of abstention votes (actually more than “against”-votes!) was due to people not being able to make up their minds or because the coffee-break was just around the corner. These votes didn’t change the result anyway and the resolution passed. Congratulations my friends!
MADAME PRESIDENT—LORNA BURKE Lorna was the president of my first ever regional session nearly two years ago in Dublin, Ireland. Because of that, and the impact those three days had on me, it was an absolute honour to attend Lorna´s last session ever, and a pleasure to interview her for the session paper. Funnily enough it was only by chance that Lorna went to an international session at all. After taking part in nationals with EYP Ireland in ´98 the team that Lorna was a part of was chosen as a substitute group. As such she never would have gotten to go to an international only in ´99 there was an extra session – Helsinki – and so she got the chance to go. She described it as a great honour to be chosen to go, and remembers the session very vividly and with great tenderness. She recalls making snow angels, being so hungry that her delegation ate all their Eurovillage food using broken plastic cups as knives, and even remembers a pianist at Euroconcert named Vasilli who made her cry just by demonstrating how talented young people could be. What asked about the influence EYP has had on herself, Lorna said that it was “the best that ever happened” to her. Lorna´s time in EYP has clearly made a profound and very personal impact on her, but clarifies that it has not made her the person she is today, but rather that it has helped herto discover the person she is. She describes how her experiences taught her that it was ok to be “little old me”, and also to be different, not only in terms of language and culture, but in terms of personality as well. EYP has, in Lorna´s words, “taught me to be the teacher she is today”, and says that her class is just like a committee and even plays teambuilding games and energisers with her students. Lorna explains how important it is for a teacher to share a part of themselves with their class, and not remain distant the whole time, which syas is just one of the things tat she learnt from chairing in EYP. Lorna recalls the first time that she was chosen as an international chair as being her best EYP moment, but also remembers all the people that she met in EYP, and the strength of the bonds that were formed in such a short space of time. As far as challenging moments go Lorna says that each of the different positions within a session comes with its own unique experience, including challenges. I know myself how hectic the schedule of a session president is as I had tried to get an interview with Lorna for the better part of six days before she finally had a free moment! Lorna herself says that a large challenge in being a session president is that the right decision on a matter is not always the popular one, but she says that each challenge presents a great opportunity to learn about people and about yourself, and to remember that all you can do is your best. When I asked Lorna if there is any future for her in EYP she bluntly remarked – no. There is no coming back after being a session president, but Lorna is happy to end with EYP at the pinnacle. She reminds me that at any rate it is the European YOUTH Parliament, and feels that it is the right time to go... despite how much she will miss it. She will, however, still have the opportunity as a teacher to send students from her school to take part in national sessions in Ireland – in her words she is “passing the torch” to the next group of EYPers, so that they can experience what Lorna has had the opportunity to. This strikes a particular chord with me, as I feel included in having received the torch from Lorna, ever since first hearing her quiet, polite, friendly voice from the board in Dublin, recognising me for summation of my first resolution.
Finn “Fingers”
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Remember the good days... By Ellen “Cousin It”
What’s your most memorable moment? Maline (Austria): “Committee work. We became really close to each other after presenting our topic at the GA. It’s great that we have good relationships in our committee. Also singing in the bus is pretty memorable.” Thea (Norway): “So many great things…can’t really pick one. But I guess the country presentations were the things I remember the most. Nice to see all the countries giving something out from their culture.” Pat&Louise(teachers from Ireland and UK):”Visit to Matera. It was so different and simply fabulous. The city had so many interesting stories to tell and an interesting past.” Zé (Portugal):”The challenging things are still to come – defending our resolution. But the most memorable thing so far has probably been the committee presentations.” Hong(Belgium):”When we sang “Imagine”. That really describes the feeling of what EYP is all about.” Lucie(Czech Repub.)”Gansters and dolls party. The atmosphere there was just great.” Vlad (Macedonia):”Listening to the discussion and argument between a guy from Kosovo and Turkey. Funniest thing I’ve ever seen. And our delegation’s song!” Tim(Belgium):”Meeting the new people and just looking into their eyes during discussion and knowing that you’re understood.” Rossella (observer from Matera):”I liked to see the co-operation between you guys. The group was really interested in what they were doing.” Halli(Iceland):”It remember when Dave from AFET1 spilled some water to the floor during a discussion. He gave out a holler and his feet were all wet. That was pretty funny. Everyone just laughed their heads off.” Jill/Dace (international orga, Latvia): ”When I got my pink hat back!” Heili (Editor, Estonia): “Teambuilding in Matera. Some of my favourite people in a beautiful Italian town on a sunny day” Rosie (Cyprus): ”When they closed the gates to the hotel and we had to climb over it to get in. ” Caroline(Sweden):”The evenings were fun, just hanging out with friends.” Dave (UK):”Gangster and doll party. Also when the journalists started giving out Lornies and people were performing ridiculous acts to earn them. And the chanting bus rides!” Lorna (president, Ireland):”EuroConcert. The surprise from my lovely chairs and Kristine.” Bulza (Kosovo):”Gangsters and dolls party…it was fun! Everyone had interesting stuff on etc.” Argyro (Cyprus):”When we tied up our journo Mark with sticky tape.” Karen (Ireland):”Gangsters and dolls. Why?? Did you see the costumes?” Minna (Finland):”Committee dinner. You could really feel the spirit of the group there. It was ice-breaking without talking about the topic and it was really great.” Hanna (Finland):”2nd EYPcafé with the karaoke. The dancing and spirit of everyone was really enjoyable. Anonymous (Germany):”I enjoyed the discussion about the EU constitution. We were talking about language and history and we all came to the same conclusion together. That’s where I really felt the European spirit.” Zeynep (Turkey):”The concert. I performed there and I was really nervous before stepping on to the stage.” Maria (Russia): “20’s party. It was extreme beauty, relaxation and unity all together. The dancing was great and it was really a creative party!”
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Leaving on a Jet Plane—For Riga B y
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“ J a i l b i r d ”
The time has come when you have to start thinking about back to your everyday life, because the session is heading towards its end. However, this most definitely must not be your last session, as it is possible to participate in a wide range of national, regional and even international events. One of these events is going to be the International summer session in Riga, Latvia – the place to go! Riga, the capital city of Latvia will be hosting the international summer session in 2006 for 9 action-packed days. Most of the session will take place in Ventspils, a beautiful city by the Baltic sea, which is situated 200 km away from Riga. It will provide the session with all the needed venues. The session web site will be launched in spring, and all the participants of both Bari and Paris session will be welcome to apply for VE-RI. The president of Latvia Vaira Vike- Freiberga has given her patronage for the session. We would like to thank all the printers that didn’t work, the copying shops that close at 1 pm on Saturdays and the journalists for attempting to write all their articles in 15 minutes. Hopefully this last issue will hold something for all of you so that you’ll remember Bari 2005, as reported for you by your loving Journalists. Many thanks from our table next to the coffee stand, Heili and Jonny Editors, Bari 2005
MORE CUTTHROAT THANKS We would like to commend all the family businesses below for contributing to this Gangster™ production. In addition, the following mobsters must be saluted - the Pressroom Mafia for the blood, sweat and tears from their various victims, Seba “The Hair” Loukas, Marco if he actually exists, doughnuts and other refreshments provided by the rival “Orga” team and the incorrigible spirit of ‘The Family’.
This project has been carried out with the support of the European Community in the framework of the Socrates Programme.